As designers and engineers, we see endless possibilities within every project we work on, however, there are limitations and constraints we must work with—one being the landscape. But what if there was a way to physically alter the landscape and incorporate movement, such as adjustable seating, moveable trees, and plazas that form to the users needs?

LandDesign’s MatterLab grant recipient, and this year’s first-place award winner Rachael Shields, recognized the potential of kinetics in manipulating the landscape beyond plan drawings or 3D modeling. Incorporating movement and time into design, Rachel leveraged Arduino and C++ code to program a moveable and adjustable prototype of a kinetic topography that enables real-time modification. On this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we spoke with Rachael about the inspiration for her research, her experience learning to code, and aspirations for the application of this technology on projects she works on.

Learn more about Rachael’s research, here!

The rapid growth of micro-modal transportation is challenging cities across the U.S. to integrate infrastructure, such as cycletracks, multi-use paths, and bicycle lanes, to make it easier for micro-modal users to travel within their community. These facilities are crucial to the success of multi-modal networks, however, they tend to be infrequent, inadequate, and rarely address the importance of protected micro-modal facilities through roadway intersections.After a successful first round of MatterLab, Jeromy Wegrzyn leveraged the program for a second time to continue his research into micro-modal systems, and examined existing protected intersections for micro-modal users to develop a guide for designing these facilities. On this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we spoke with Jeromy about his experience utilizing these facilities as an avid cyclist and the importance of protected intersections when planning for multi-modal systems.

Has the influence of technology on our everyday lives trickled into the way we experience the public realm? This very question spurred an academic partnership between LandDesign and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Master of Urban Design program. A group of designers and students banded together for a semester-long exploration, analyzing the impact of technology on the way we interact with the physical realm.

During this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we are joined by LandDesign Partner, Richard Petersheim, PLA and UNCC Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, Deb Ryan, PLA who led our curious troupe through investigations of plazas and parks to virtual immersion at Walt Disney World. Listen in as they share the unexpected results from the study and the role of digital placemaking and technology on the future of public space.